Subject: Is the Church Too Exclusive
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Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:57:52 -0600

Is the Church Too Exclusive?

-Introduction

-At the end of the lesson last Sunday morning, I said that
when a person considers the

topics of worship, church authority and church
organization every man-made religious

organization is exposed.

-There are many good, sincere
individuals who fail to follow the patterns that God

has prescribed.

-Eph 4:4-6

-The ideas of a single church
and a specific doctrine are not popular in today’s

society.

-There are increased claims - both exterior and, in some
cases, interior - that members of

the church are too exclusive and narrow minded.
There are those who are trying to

influence the church to soften doctrinal distinctions
and while broadening the circle of

fellowship.

-In this morning’s lesson, we’ll consider whether we are too
exclusive and narrow minded.

-Pondering Our God

-I’m afraid we don’t think about/contemplate/ponder the
qualities/characteristics/attributes

of our God nearly as much as we should!

-We should stand in absolute
awe of our God.

-Isa 45:18-22, 55:8-9; Jer
10:23

-Job 42:1-2

-What an amazing God!

-Our God is good, pure, righteous, true, Holy...

-1 John 4:8 - John summarized
God’s attributes with one simple, profound statement.

-Atrocious Nature of Sinfulness & Our Deep
Need

-When we contemplate the attributes of our God, we are
reminded of the atrocious nature

of sin.

-Sin is a violations against
our God - against all that God is - all that He wants - all that

He commands.

-Sin is disgusting in His
sight - Isa 1:4-6.

-When we contemplate the attributes of God and combine with
that the acknowledgement

of our sins, we are driven to the realization of our
dreadful condition in sin.

-Luke 7:41-42

-We don’t have to first be
dreadfully sinful in order to love our Savior.  However, we

do need to
recognize the fact that we have sinned (Rom 3:23) and therefore
need

forgiveness.

-God’s Offer of Forgiveness & Our Response

-Forgiveness is exactly what God has offered to us.

-He did not make such an offer
because we deserve it.

-His offer was not made
because we have earned it.  It is a gift (Rom 6:23, Eph 2:8).

-Eph 2:1-10

-God offers forgiveness to us
due to his rich mercy and abounding love.

-Even though we have done that
which is contrary to our completely righteous, pure,

holy and unlimited God,
He offers us salvation.

-You see, there is no salvation in sin.

-Thankfully, God offers salvation from sin in Christ Jesus (Eph
1:3).

-So, what must take place?

-Some say there is no need for any specific response on the
part of mankind.

-Such an approach reveals a
complete lack of understanding of God or a

failure to acknowledge
our sinful condition.  (Acts 2:37 - hearts pricked)

-Does God’s greatness not
warrant a response?

-Does He not deserve a
response?

-To say that there is no need
of a response is to belittle our God.

-Many realize that a response is needed but disagree on what
the response must be.

-To many, the idea of a
single, specific response - both in an intial response of

obedience and a
continued response of faithfulness - is appalling.

-Is it appalling to say that
there is a specific way to respond to our Almighty God?

Is the thought of “one
body, one Spirit...one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God...”

(Eph 4:4-6)
distasteful?  The inspired scriptures don’t think so.  Neither should
we.

-Is it appalling to think that an Almighty God could specify a particular manner

of worship to be offered to Him?  (see John 4:24, Matt 15:9)

-Is it wrong for our Almighty God to institute a particular doctrine (Rom
6:17)?

-Unfortunately, too many people seemingly forget the
greatness of God, and try to tell Him

what we should do rather than submit to what He has
already told us to do.

-Submitting to the Will of God

-We, as the created, have no right whatsoever to impose our
will upon the Creator.

-He has initiated the plan of salvation.  He sent Jesus
to die upon the cross.  He has

offered His grace to us.

-So, how can we know what God requires of us?

-1 Cor 2:9-11, 2 Pet 1:3, 2
Tim 3:16-17

-When we consider the wonderful attributes of our God, we are
driven to the realization

that we must submit to His will.

-Matt 7:21, 24-27

-As a result, the idea of one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one
faith, one God, a specific

doctrine will not seem too exclusive and narrow
minded.  They are in accordance with

the design and word of God - His will.

-Have you submitted to His will?  Have you responded to
His offer of salvation?  If not,

obey His word - Believe (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess
(Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent

(Acts 17:30, Luke 13:3,5), Be Baptized (Mark 16:16,
Gal 3:26-29).

-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel but haven’t remained faithful
(submissive to the will of God),

then confess your shortcomings, repent of them and
pray for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9,

Acts 8:22-24).

Date:  Feb 19, 2006

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